Initial versions
(1.0, 1.0a) have some serious disk handling problems, most noticeably
with the internal Jaz drive, leading to damaged data, lost projects,
corrupt disks and ultimately drive failure. Upgrading to version 1.1
or later is strongly recommended, as the disk handling was greatly
improved. Causes for the problems have been cited as failure by Iomega
to properly spec their Jaz drives to Akai, faulty quality control
in some batches of drives shipped to Akai, serious bugs in the OS
that cause the Jaz head to ram against the side of the cartridge,
thus destroying both, and the general unsuitability of the Jaz to
repeated audio recording.
Whatever the
actual reason, upgrading the OS and replacing the internal Jaz drive
with an internal HD completely solves the drive related problems,
and people who have kept their Jaz drives have reported that most
of their problems went away after upgrading the OS.
Akai will replace
the Jaz drive in all DPS12's with an internal drive, free of charge.
Akai UK will exchange the Jaz for an internal 4.3 gig drive, whereas
people in the US are less lucky with "only" a 2 gig drive
offered as a replacement. Exchanging is strongly recommended, unless
you really need the removable nature of the Jaz drive.
From the list:
"Due
to the DPS12 being one of two new flagship products in the Akai line
it seems that they are willing to "bend over backwards"
to preserve their reputation, resolve problems such as ours and create
a well supported, enthusiastic user base to endorse the recorder.
They seem committed to do whatever it takes to rectify the problems
ASAP. They are definitely in "damage control" mode as far
as public perception is concerned. To this end, I was offered a free
swap out of the Jaz for a 2 Gb hard drive at any point in the 1 yr.
warranty period. Needless to say, I got my return authorization #
and shipped the unit out to Texas this morning. I was told that the
DPS12's were top priority and where older equipment might have a 2
1/2 week turn around time, these new units are taken care of immediately."
However, there
are reports on the list that Akai now are not replacing Jaz drives
with internal hard drives unless you have had problems or failures
with your Jaz drive. It may well be the case that many of the Jaz
problems have been sorted out with current generation Jaz drives and
the version 2.0 operating system. Certainly there are far fewer reports
of Jaz failures on the mailing list than there used to be - but that
may well be because most Jaz drive owners there have had their DPS12's
upgraded to an internal hard drive!
